A Whole Education

At Lutheran Neighborhood Schools (LNS), we embrace a comprehensive educational model that goes beyond traditional academics, focusing on nurturing well-rounded individuals who flourish both personally and academically. Our approach is rooted in the development of key habits and virtues, guided by Christian principles, that prepare students for a life of purpose, service, and leadership.

A Foundation in Faith and Character

Central to our model is the cultivation of a deep, vibrant faith in Jesus Christ, encouraging students to live in alignment with God's directives. We believe in fostering a personal relationship with God, marked by regular prayer, diligent Scripture study, and a commitment to serving others in Christ's name. This spiritual foundation ensures our students not only excel academically but also grow as compassionate, ethical individuals.

Emphasizing Holistic Development

Our curriculum is designed to support the development of the whole child. We prioritize not just intellectual growth, but also the cultivation of character and spiritual virtues. Through a balanced approach that includes academics, arts, and athletics, we offer students a variety of avenues to explore their interests, talents, and passions. This holistic approach ensures our students are well-prepared for the challenges of the future, equipped with critical thinking skills, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

Fostering Key Habits for Success

Inspired by the wisdom of thought leaders and educators, our educational philosophy integrates key habits that are essential for personal and academic success. From faithfulness and curiosity to time management and critical thinking, we emphasize the importance of developing a strong character foundation alongside academic skills. These habits are woven into every aspect of our curriculum, ensuring students not only achieve academic excellence but also become responsible, adaptable, and reflective individuals.

A Community of Support and Excellence

At LNS, we are more than just a school; we are a community that values collaboration, accountability, and leadership. Our model encourages students to work together, support one another, and take responsibility for their learning. By fostering an environment of mutual respect and support, we help students develop deep, meaningful friendships and a sense of belonging. This community spirit extends beyond the classroom, encouraging students to engage with the wider community and make a positive impact on the world.

Preparing Students for a Meaningful Life

Our ultimate goal is to prepare students for a meaningful life that glorifies God, fulfills their personal aspirations, and contributes positively to society. By emphasizing the development of virtues like service to others, integrity, and leadership, we equip students to embrace their vocations and lead lives of significance and purpose.

At Lutheran Neighborhood Schools, we are committed to providing an education that not only prepares students for academic success but also for a life of faith, purpose, and service. Our comprehensive model ensures that students leave our school ready to face the challenges of the future, armed with knowledge, character, and a deep-rooted faith.

Curiosity

Learning is often seen as a daunting task, especially when associated with the formal educational system. However, if we look beyond the textbooks and classrooms, we can discover that learning is not only essential for personal and intellectual growth but can also be incredibly fun and enjoyable.

From the moment we are born, we have an innate curiosity. Children are constantly asking questions, exploring their surroundings, and absorbing information like sponges. This curiosity is a testament to the natural joy of learning that God has placed in all of us. As we grow older, we shouldn't lose sight of this curiosity; instead, we should nurture it.

That's just what we do at Lutheran Neighborhood Schools. Our small size allows us to tailor the journey for each student. We embrace their interests, and work with their families to create an experience unlike anything else.

Personal and Faithful

In education, personalized learning has emerged as a transformative approach that places students at the heart of their educational journey. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all instruction; instead, personalized learning recognizes the diverse learning styles, strengths, and needs of each student. By adapting content, pace, and learning strategies to match individual preferences, this approach nurtures a deeper understanding and enthusiasm for learning.

At Lutheran Neighborhood Schools we pair that approach with a strong emphasis on the Lutheran faith. Those two pieces create a foundation that will serve our students well in all situations.

Independent. Not Alone.

At Lutheran Neighborhood Schools we teach our students how to be independent learners. We teach them to take charge of their own learning journey. We empower them to cultivate essential skills such as self-discipline, time management, and critical thinking. By engaging in independent learning they actively seek out resources, set their own goals, and construct a personalized learning path that aligns with their interests and strengths. This encourages a deeper understanding of subjects, as they are encouraged to explore beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings. We do all that with the Lutheran faith as our foundation. It’s one of the many things we do differently at LNS. 

We teach our students the importance of independence while letting them know they are not alone. They can do their work at their pace, always supported, always helped, always learning.

The Power of School

Education stands as one of the most transformative and empowering forces in our society, and at the heart of that educational journey lies the institution that shapes and nurtures young minds - the school. Beyond its role as a place of learning, school plays a pivotal role in fostering personal growth, intellectual development, and societal progress. In a Lutheran Neighborhood School, we add one more part.  One piece that without, all the others are useless.  That piece is faith.

At LNS we put our faith first, middle, and last.  It is the foundation of what we do, and it is our reason for doing it.  We grow faithful leaders through intentional church connections, service to others, and time spent in word and worship.  We want our students to love God, love others, and love learning.

You can support our work in three ways:

Pray for us.

Make a donation to support LNS.

Volunteer at LNS.

Treading Water Looks a lot Like Swimming

Is there anyone you admire or look up to?  Someone who is successful in the ways you want to be successful?  I'm sure there is.  There are a lot of principals that I admire because they are doing great things at their schools.  They have the best test scores, the most involved parents, and programs that can't be found anywhere else.  They have it together, whatever it is.  At least, that's how it looks.

I'm not a shy person, and anyone who knows me would say I'm pretty blunt if they're putting it nicely.  I ask people questions out of curiosity, and I don't mind asking someone a question if I don't know them that well.  I have asked some of these people that I look up to what it is they did to get where they are.  I asked what they keep doing to remain successful.  The answers?  Sorry, there isn't any one thing they all did.  I got pretty standard answers:  work hard, listen to people smarter than you, genuinely care about those you serve, be brave and do what is right because it is right. 

There was one answer that kept coming up that surprised me.  Many of them felt like they didn't know what they were doing, like they didn't have it together, like their mistakes outweighed any successes.  They felt like they were just treading water, but to me, that looked a lot like swimming.  

Everyone struggles.  That's life.  A lot of time we struggle privately.  Because of that, it is important that we care for each other, pray for each other, and struggle together.  We may not recognize the struggle in others, just as I didn't recognize it in these people.  

Those people I spoke with brought up one other thing: they are successful because of the people around them.  They know they can't do it on their own.  They need help.  They struggle together.  That makes it all easier, and the people we work with, and for, make it all worth it. 

What Matters

People can get so upset about little things.  If a man has his coffee with too much cream everyone hears about it.  Yet, there are people out there who are homeless or not sure when they will eat next, and that's just a normal day.  It needs to change.  We need to care more about what matters and not about what doesn't.  I can't pick those things for anyone, but I can say with almost absolute certainty that people should be on the top of the list.

It was that in mind that I became a teacher, and later a principal.  People are important.  They have meaning.  Everyone does.  That is something that is difficult for us to see when we are only focused on what affects us.  It isn't always easy to do what is best for someone else, but that is what we are called to do.  We were put on this planet with other people for a reason.  We were created to be with others because people bring out the best in us.

I am always trying to nurture a culture that values everyone, and I am blessed to be working with a faculty that drives the importance of that home to our students.  I wish I could say everyday went as planned.  They don't.  But, and this is important, there is forgiveness.  It is one of the things that makes our school unique.  It is something we should strive to hold onto in the face of adversity.  The world needs more of it because to forgive someone is to love someone.  To love someone is to put their needs ahead of yours.  That is something that matters.

Be Nice

Everything about school would be easier if everyone would just be nice.  It seems like a pretty simple thing to do.  Say please.  Say thank you.  Be kind.  These are the basics that we teach kids right along with numbers and the alphabet, so why do teachers have to remind students to be nice?  We don't remind our older students what letter comes after A, or what number comes after 1.

I'm sure most teachers would say that they focus on manners, on being kind, on being good people; and that it frustrates them when those lessons don't stick.  Why though?  Why do those lessons not stick?  What if it has more to do with us than it does with our students?  What if it has more to do with what we do when we are frustrated?

Do we continue to model every behavior we want our students to emulate when we are upset?  No, we don't.  We make the mistake of being mean to our students when we are upset with their behavior.  We say to ourselves, "I'm upset, and they need to know it."  I know that is what I thought as a first year teacher.  We raise our voices, we give the students a less than kind attitude, we make generalizations about how rude or disrespectful or mean every student is being to us.  We do everything we want them to avoid.  Again, at least I know I did.  I didn't know any better.  I had seen my teachers act that way.  We were all wrong.

We teach the students that when you are upset, or annoyed, or having a bad day you can be mean to someone else.  Is it any wonder they have a difficult time consistently being kind?  We teach them that being kind is dependent upon how others treat you.

It isn't.  In a Lutheran school we know that.  During Holy Week we focus on it.  The love we are given has nothing to do with how we treat others because our Savior already knows we will fall short, and He loves us anyway.

That is what we need to model.  Our students will make mistakes, and they will be mean.  We need to love and respect them anyway.  In all situations.  We can be disappointed with what our students choose to do.  Students will make mistakes, and there are of course consequences for those mistakes.   None of those consequences should be an adult treating a student how we tell them not to treat each other.

After all, if we want them to just be nice we need to be able to do it ourselves.

Help When You Can, Encourage When You Can’t

We all want to be helpful, but sometimes we have so much of our own stuff going on that we just don't have the time.  We are willing but unable.  If we can help, great.  We do.  Some of us are gifted in that way.  We all know that person who would help you move a couch up 4 flights of stairs just because you asked for help.  We can't all be that person, and even if we are, sometimes we just can't help like we would want to.  During those times there is still something we can do.  We can be encouraging.  When we see someone struggling with something, and we can't help, we can still lift that person up.  That little action is free, takes almost no time, and it makes a world of difference.

When I make my rounds during the day I ask two questions:

1. How is it going? 

2. Do you need anything?

It is my way of saying, "How are you?"  I genuinely want to know because I want everyone in our school to be happy and successful.  If there is something I can do to ensure that, I do it.  I help when I can, even when it isn't "my job".  I move tables, mop floors, and pick up trash I see on the floor.  If I can't help I thank those that can, and I let them know I am thankful for them.  Schools are better when this happens because we can't do it all on our own.  

If everyone helped when they could, and encouraged when they couldn't what would your building look like?

I imagine it would be a happy place.  What can you do to get your school to look like that all the time for everyone?

If you have a great idea to add please leave a comment.  There are great ideas out there just waiting to be shared.  

Be Better on Your Worst Day

How do you treat the students?  Are you strict? Lenient?  Do you have your classroom management down, or do you struggle with it from time to time?  Those questions matter, and for most of us, our answer depends on the situation.  A better question is: do you treat the students as if they are who you know they can be?

What does that mean?  Our students will make mistakes, and they will misbehave.  That's life, we sin.  We teach because we believe in what our students CAN be, and we know what Jesus sees in them.  They don't always show us that, just as we don't always show them our best selves.

How we treat our students on our worst day tells us all we need to know about our school culture.  At our worst, we need to be better than most because what we do is that important.  We have no way of knowing how our students will end up, and we need to treat each of them as if they are the most important person because to someone they are.  To us they are.

Remember that next time you feel your patience slipping or your blood pressure rising.  The students will treat others how we treat them.  We are, and should be, held to a higher standard.  Our future depends on it.